Started a new play through and in last one, with max sneak, sandman and whatever else I must have taken or gear - I was getting ~6.3x sneak attack multiplier.

That is what my screen would say when I landed a sneak attack shot with my supposed weapon which used both sneak and sandman perks.

But in my new play trough, I thought I had taken same setup but max I am able to get is ~5.3x

Can't figure out for the life of me what and how I was able to get 6.3x multiplier in my last game but just can't achieve same in new game.

Am I missing some obvious perk or gear I might have had on old char? Driving me crazy, would really like to know.

ahh, forgot about the companion perk from Deacon. Adds up now with that factored in.